Katherine Johnson was an African American mathematician and aerospace engineer who lived from 1918 to 2020. She was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and grew up in a family that placed a strong emphasis on education. Johnson excelled in mathematics from a young age, and she was one of the few African Americans of her generation to receive a high-quality education.

Johnson attended West Virginia State College, where she studied mathematics, and she later went on to work as a schoolteacher. In 1953, she was hired by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Johnson was part of a group of talented African American mathematicians who worked at NACA, and she quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most respected members of the organization.

Johnson's work at NACA and NASA focused on the development of complex mathematical calculations that were used to support the early space program. She was involved in a wide range of projects, including the calculation of the trajectories of the first American manned space missions and the design of the Apollo moon landing missions. Her work was critical to the success of many of NASA's early missions, and she was widely recognized as one of the leading experts in the field of aerospace engineering.

In addition to her work at NASA, Johnson was also a trailblazer for African American women in the field of mathematics and engineering. Despite facing significant discrimination and prejudice, she remained committed to her work and became an inspiration to many young African Americans who were interested in pursuing careers in these fields.

Throughout her life, Johnson was widely recognized for her contributions to the field of aerospace engineering and mathematics. She received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2015, she was portrayed in the film "Hidden Figures," which told the story of the African American women who worked as mathematicians and engineers at NASA during the early days of the space program.

In conclusion, Katherine Johnson was an African American mathematician and aerospace engineer who made important contributions to the field of aerospace engineering and mathematics. She was a trailblazer for African American women in these fields, and she inspired countless young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Despite facing significant challenges and obstacles, Johnson remained committed to her work and became an influential figure in the world of science and engineering.